CSN Bay Area, Local Pro Athletes Partner With You Can Play For PSAs

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area has partnered with You Can Play project to produce a series of PSAs for the group which supports LGBT equality in sports. The PSAs debuted yesterday during the 5:00pm PT edition of the RSN’s “Yahoo SportsTalk Live.” Athletes who took part in the videos include Giants P Barry Zito, A’s CF Coco Crisp, Warriors G Klay Thompson, Sharks C Joe Thornton, 49ers TE Vernon Davis, Raiders FB Marcel Reece and MLS Earthquakes F Chris Wondolowski (CSN Bay Area). Sharks C Tommy Wingels, who is on the You Can Play foundation BOD, said, "Athletes are role models for a lot of people. If we're outspoken on the issue -- if we say, 'I'm OK with this,' -- it can only help." In S.F., Ann Killion notes CSN Bay Area President & GM Ted Griggs “jumped at the chance to make the PSAs.” Griggs was the “force behind the network's production of ‘Out. The Glenn Burke Story,’ and knows the Bay Area should be a leader on the issue.” He called local teams “to gauge their interest.” The spots are “airing during Gay Pride Month as the issue of equality is reaching critical mass.” Griggs said, "Their message is 'I will be a good teammate and you can have a workplace free of harassment’” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/20).